Benjamin Rush signs this affidavit that attests that Albion Guest's payment certificate for service as a soldier is the property of Dickinson College. Guest's certificate, which is worth $44, is no. 74942 and dated July 1, 1784.
Benjamin Rush signs this affidavit that attests that Arthur [Gillas'?] payment certificate for service as a soldier is the property of Dickinson College. Arthur's certificate is no. 77395 and dated July 1, 1784.
Benjamin Rush writes to his sister-in-law, Susan Stockton, with directions for making a husband unhappy without incurring the character of a bad wife.
A map of lands in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania that is owned by James Campbell, Benjamin Rush, and Jacob Rush. Henry Donnel created this copy of the map.
Benjamin Rush signs this affidavit that attests that Christopher Finnigan's payment certificate for service as a soldier is the property of Dickinson College. Finnigan's certificate is no. 75525 and dated July 1, 1784.
Benjamin Rush writes to Thomas Smith of Carlisle, Pennsylvania regarding efforts to raise funds for Dickinson, including a petition to the Pennsylvania legislature for additional financial support. Dr.
Sarah Vaughan writes to Sarah Franklin Bache, daughter of Benjamin Franklin, introducing her to Mrs. Joseph Priestley and hoping that she will "be so kind when opportunity offers to introduce her to some of [Bache's] friends..."
Benjamin Rush writes and signs this legal document, which transfers a deed to Joseph Priestley, Jr. Transcript included.
Matthew Boulton provides an account of the Birmingham riots in England and the destruction of property, including Joseph Priestley's house. The recipient's identity is unknown. Transcript included.
Joseph Priestley provides Sir Charles Blagden, the Secretary of the Royal Society, with a list of errors in his paper for the Transactions and asks him to correct the "important" ones before it is p
Joseph Priestley writes Sir Charles Blagden, the Secretary of the Royal Society, and asks him to “lay before the Royal Society Mr.
Joseph Priestley writes Sir Charles Blagden, the Secretary of the Royal Society, and asks for 50 copies of his paper printed and stitched in blue cloth. In addition, Priestley requests that one copy be sent to Henry Cavendish.
Joseph Priestley writes to George Thatcher regarding news from England, where Priestley expects revolution: "The unanimity you speak of in this country does not exist in this neighborhood.
Secretary of State Timothy Pickering writes Charles Hall of Sunbury regarding Joseph Priestley's "unpardonable" conduct and the receipt of "Mr.
Statesman William Bingham writes Benjamin Rush and compares the conditions in England with those in the United States in terms of government, economics, and immigration.
Benjamin Rush writes to his wife, Julia Stockton Rush, regarding poetry, the division of land, and his medical essays. Transcript included.
This customs declaration and receipt form, sworn and signed by Benjamin Rush, is for "One Box Books a present for Dickinson College."
William Kirkpatrick's ticket for Benjamin Rush's "Lectures upon the Institutes of Medicine and Clinical Cases" at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia in 1794.
Scientist, clergyman, and scholar Joseph Priestley writes to Dr. Charles Brian Blagden, asking for an insertion to his paper that was read to the Lunar Society.
Dr. Joseph Priestley writes to Dr. Benjamin Smith Barton regarding Antiphlogistion enemies, a yellow fever outbreak, and scientist Dr. John Maclean.
Theologian and scholar Joseph Priestley writes to his friend Theophilus Lindsey.
William Bingham writes from London to the Dickinson College Board of Trustees concerning his attempts to get support from the British for the College.
Alexander Biddle, the patriarch of the collection, was born on April 29, 1819 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the son of Thomas A. Biddle and Christine Williams Biddle. A member of a prominent and wealthy Philadelphia family, he graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1838 and became a successful lawyer—a profession that ran in his family and would continue in later generations. He married Julia Williams Rush in 1855—the granddaughter of Founding Father Benjamin Rush—which allows for both the Williams and Rush families to be well represented in this collection. It is Alexander, his wife Julia, and his seven children—Alexander, Henry, Julia, Wilmer, Louis, Marion, and Lynford, that make up a majority of this collection.
The Biddle Family Collection is housed in 11 document boxes. This collection consists primarily of correspondence between both friends and members of the Biddle Family as well as business associates. The collection is centered around Alexander Biddle (April 29, 1819—May 2, 1899), starting with him and progressing into an emphasis on his wife and children (Alexander, Henry, Julia, Wilmer, Louis, Marion, and Lynford) as well as other family members. The Rush family, via Alexander marrying into it, is also well represented.
These materials are arranged into the following 9 categories: Correspondence, Financial Materials, Legal Materials, Clubs/Societies, Invitations, Animal Business, Ephemera, Miscellaneous, and Photographs. This collection was generously donated by Samuel and Anna D. Moyerman.
The collection contains papers related to John Armstrong's service as a surveyor in Cumberland County between 1755 and 1783. These papers include correspondence with the Surveyor-General of Pennsylvania and Delaware, John Lukens, complaints from his clients, and several survey maps drawn by Armstrong. Born in County Fermagh, Ireland in 1717, Armstrong emigrated to Pennsylvania with his wife, five brothers, and a sister. He established himself as a surveyor but in 1756 joined the militia as a captain during the Seven Years' War (French and Indian War). He led a victorious assault on the stronghold of Kittanning, earning forever the label "the Hero of Kittanning." After the war, Armstrong returned to surveying, being named deputy-surveyor in 1762. He later served several terms in the Continental Congress from 1776 to 1788, and was a founding trustee of the Carlisle Grammar School and Dickinson College.